Whether you’re around the braai, heading to the beach, or unfortunately stuck in the office, here’s hoping your Human Rights Day is as enjoyable as possible. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself what your human rights actually are in South Africa? Sure, we know we have one of the most progressive, modern constitutions in the world. So what does that guarantee us? This public holiday gives us all a chance to reflect on the fight for democracy, and those who lost their lives sticking it to apartheid. Thanks to those brave…

JOHANNESBURG/CAPE TOWN – National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete has announced that the State of the Nation Address has been postponed. The address was scheduled for 8 February. However, Mbete says it had become clear that it was unlikely that a joint sitting of the two houses would be uneventful if it was held this Thursday as planned. She adds that Parliament took into account views of political stakeholders, society and concerns in the political environment. Mbete says that as Parliament was preparing to write to President Jacob Zuma to request the postponement of his address, he…...

Johannesburg – Eighty-seven year old Ahmed Kathrada, affectionately known as ‘Kathy’ by those close to him, has died. Kathrada underwent surgery relating to a blood clot on the brain earlier this month but experienced several postoperative complications and contracted pneumonia, which affected both his lungs. Kathrada will be remembered, for the most part, as one of the eight iconic men including Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Andrew Mlangeni, Ray Mhlaba, Dennis Goldberg and Elias Motsoaledi who were arrested at Liliesleaf Farm and found guilty on charges including conspiracy and…...

Being the first of anything is not easy. No one could possibly prepare you for the job. Imagine the first night surrounded by strangers and you are converted into a glorified prisoner with limited freedoms. Imagine, your former friends trying to cross institutional roadblocks just to say hello. Imagine the expectations of the people that had been waiting so much for the promise of independence. Then juxtapose the enthusiasm and expectations of independence with the scope of the job of a Prime Minister. The picture in your mind the flight…...

CONFERENCES | EXHIBITIONS | INDUSTRY AWARDS Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality, and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth. This is no truer than in sub-Saharan Africa where poverty is high and opportunities plentiful. In South Africa alone 20 percent of annual government expenditure is invested in education, amounting to R254-billion. Spintelligent’s Education portfolio comprises of industry leading events, African EduWeek and Career Indaba. The Education portfolio holds a unique media partnership agreement with national and international broadcaster Mutlichoice, to provide unprecedented…...

Think back to the last team project you participated in at work. How did the person running the project lead the group? Did they lead by presenting a plan and using their authority to insist that others follow along? Or did the person instead lead by explaining why a particular course of action seemed like the best one, allowing others to willfully get on board? These two leadership styles, which I and other researchers refer to as dominance and prestige, respectively, reflect two fundamental strategies people use to navigate their…...

CAPE TOWN – Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will deliver his annual Budget speech in Parliament on Wednesday evening. But for Gordhan and his team it will be a tough budget to deliver against the backdrop of a rumoured cabinet reshuffle – with him and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas’s heads said to be on the chopping block. The rand extended its losses against the dollar on Tuesday ahead of Gordhan’s annual speech. The nomination of former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe to Parliament added to speculation of an imminent reshuffle‚ sending the…...